My deskmate is actually my yandere reader.

But after he walked through it all night, that fragrance must be gone now, right?

'Why think so much? You really are a pervert, Kurose Izumi.'

Kurose Izumi smiled helplessly, cleared her mind of distractions, and carefully put the shirt and jeans into the bag.

He then opened the door, went into the living room, picked up his schoolbag (which he hadn't done in a long time), and left with Shiraishi Chiren.

"Shiraishi-kun, thank you for lending me your clothes. I will wash them and return them to you."

"No need, just leave it to me, I can wash it."

"Let me wash it, okay? After all, you lent it to me, and I'd feel really bad if you washed it again."

"...Okay, then I'll trouble you to wash it for me."

On their way to school, the two chatted, exchanging a few words, while passersby looked at them with strange eyes.

Students from Ming Sheng High School, in particular, began whispering among themselves, speculating whether the two were dating.

Otherwise, why would we go to school together?

Hearing those whispers, Kurose Izumi felt a little embarrassed.

So he suggested, "Shiraishi-kun, how about we split up? If you walk with me, there's bound to be gossip."

Kurose Izumi himself didn't care, but he didn't want Shiraishi Chire to suffer any trouble because of him.

Although rumors are just rumors, once they start spreading, they can be incredibly annoying.

"Kurose-kun, I don't care about rumors. If you do, you can leave now." Shiraishi Chiren looked straight ahead, her tone cold and indifferent.

Kurose Izumi suddenly had a feeling that if he left like this, Shiraishi Chiren would be unhappy.

So he didn't dare leave, and silently kept pace with Shiraishi Chiren as they walked into the school gate.

Upon arriving at the teaching building, Kurose Izumi was shocked to see Hirasawa Shinbu, and a sense of foreboding washed over her.

If he and Shiraishi Chiren are seen walking together now, he will definitely be bombarded with questions afterward!

Meanwhile, Hirasawa Mabu, standing by the shoe cabinet, stared wide-eyed at Kurose Izumi and Shiraishi Chiren walking side by side, his heart filled with disbelief.

'Holy crap, they actually got closer because they were visiting?!'

'Can reality really develop like a fantasy novel?!'

27. He must protect Shiraishi Chiren.

Meeting Hirasawa Masato's strange gaze, Kurose Izumi's face was full of embarrassment.

"Quan, you..."

"Ahem, I'll tell you later."

"..."

Upon hearing this, Hirasawa Shinbu shut his mouth, but the strange look in his eyes intensified.

This made Kurose Izumi even more embarrassed, and her eyes began to dart away unconsciously as she pondered how to explain and fool him later.

"Good morning, Hirasawa-kun." Shiraishi Chiren walked up to him, nodded slightly to Hirasawa Shinbu, and greeted him.

Good morning, class monitor.

"Okay, you guys chat, I'll be going now."

After saying that, Shiraishi Chiren walked straight past the two of them and went to the shoe cabinet to change into indoor shoes.

Then, without looking back, she walked towards the classroom.

Seeing that Shiraishi Chiren had walked away, Hirasawa Shinbu hooked his arm around Kurose Izumi's neck and whispered, "Izumi, what's going on with you, kid?"

"We just happened to run into each other on the road."

"You think I'm stupid enough to be fooled, kid?"

'I really thought you were an idiot and I fooled you...'

Kurose Izumi muttered to himself, but dared not say it out loud.

He coughed lightly, feigning composure, and said, "Then tell me, what's my situation? If we didn't just bump into each other on the street, could it have been pre-arranged? Do you think I would do that?"

"..."

Hirasawa Shinbu silently scrutinized his face, as if trying to discern something.

After a long while, he suddenly released his grip on Kurose Izumi's neck, slapped him hard on the back, and laughed heartily:

"Yeah, how dare you, a gloomy, otaku eroge master, ask the class monitor to go to school together?"

"Hehe, you're not bad either, you like playing sadistic eroge with siblings and younger sisters."

"Haha, we're like brothers."

As they talked, they smiled at each other, everything understood without a word.

Afterwards, they changed into indoor shoes and sat down in the classroom.

As for Shiraishi Chiren...

There's really nothing to worry about.

If Kurose Izumi is interested in her, then Hirasawa Mabu will definitely support her wholeheartedly and will also secretly help her.

As for the rest, it's best not to pry too much, since it's their private matter.

Moreover, Izumi Kurose is a shy and honest person. When asked about matters involving privacy, he would stammer and try to brush it off.

Hirasawa Mabu knew all along that Kurose Izumi was lying to him, but he simply didn't say anything.

They were all good friends, so the lies that Kurose Izumi told him must have been 'white lies'.

He can understand.

Everyone has secrets. Maintaining appropriate distance and avoiding gossip are the secrets to maintaining good relationships.

Thus, with the ringing of the school bell, the day's classes began.

In class, Shiraishi Chiren sat up straight, her eyes fixed on the blackboard and the teacher, looking very attentive.

In contrast, Izumi Kurose, who was sitting next to her, seemed distracted.

He would unconsciously glance at Shiraishi Chiren a couple of times, his mind constantly wandering.

For example, what should be done after school in the afternoon?

Without a doubt, "Kuchiki Touko" has her eye on Shiraishi Chiren and might make a move against her!

I certainly can't just walk away and stay out of it.

After all, I said this morning that I had to protect Shiraishi Chiren, even if it meant risking being stabbed!

But the problem came again.

How could he possibly be with Shiraishi Chiren?

Are you going to shamelessly say something like, "Shiraishi-kun, I'm afraid you're in danger, please stay with me for a while"?

If I were to say it...

Will the dangerous element transform from "Kushiki Touko" into him?!

'Ugh, this is such a headache...'

Kurose Izumi sighed inwardly, looking dejected, and decided to deal with it later.

He had a preliminary plan: when he went to find a new home, he would invite Shiraishi Chirei to stay with him.

As for what happens next, let's leave it to fate.

However, what Kurose Izumi didn't know was that his state of mind had already been grasped by Shiraishi Chiren, who was "Kuchiki Touko"!

The messages I received on my phone this morning were all meant to get Kurose Izumi to spend time with her.

Otherwise, if she keeps taking the initiative, it will inevitably seem strange and give herself away.

Before I knew it, the gloomy morning had passed, and lunch break was here.

Just as Kurose Izumi was about to ask Hirasawa Masato to go to the cafeteria together, the other party revealed a wicked smile and said:

"Quan, something's come up, so I won't be having lunch with you today!"

Upon hearing this, Kurose Izumi was stunned.

His face flushed red, and he shouted, "You brat—don't misunderstand anything!"

Hirasawa Shinbu definitely did it on purpose!

They definitely wanted to create an opportunity for him and Shiraishi Chiren to be alone together!

I don't know if there will ever be such an opportunity...

"I really have to go, I have to go now~"

After saying this with a smile, Hirasawa Masato dashed out of the classroom door as if his feet were greased, disappearing without a trace!

"I wipe..."

Kurose Izumi watched Hirasawa Masato's retreating figure disappear from sight, her expression not looking good.

Doesn't this just embarrass him?

At this moment, Shiraishi Chiren stood up, turned her head, looked at him with her clear and innocent eyes, and said softly through her cherry lips:

"Kurose-kun, come with me, I have something to tell you."

"Oh……"

And so, Kurose Izumi followed Shiraishi Chiren out of the classroom and into the cafeteria.

They lined up, ordered their lunches, and then sat together again.

Throughout this process, Shiraishi Chiren remained silent, quietly eating her lunch with her head down.

Seeing this, Kurose Izumi didn't dare to speak first and started eating as well.